In this historic video, we bring you the the spectacular reunion of the only two operating N&W steam locomotives left as of 2019. Strasburg Railroad's staple, 475, a 4-8-0 M class built for the Norfolk and Western Railroad in 1906 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, would finally meet up with "The Spirit of Roanoke", 611, a 4-8-4 J class built for the Norfolk and Western Railroad in 1950 by the shops in Roanoke Virginia. Both these locomotives would be in excursion service next to each other for the weekend of September 28 and 29 for many fans to ride behind. Many ventured out from all over to see these two N&W locomotives run with each other. This would arguably be Strasburg Railroad's biggest event possibly in their entire history.

We start at East Strasburg Station, where the day starts off gloomy with clouds filling the skies. Parking is horrible and people are almost everywhere. We first see the 10:30 611 train be readied and depart from East Strasburg. After the 611 departs, 475 shoves her consist into the station for boarding. 475 Then leaves and 611 returns. Once 611 is off the train, 8618 pulls up and takes the 611 consist on to a siding for the next 12:30 train so 475 could clear and take the 12:00 train out. The 611 is then pulled on a siding that usually houses passenger cars for the whistle blows and cab tours. Once the whistle blow concludes, we were finally able to get track side and witness this rare and quite odd site of 611 on "The Road to Paradise". We start off at Cherry Hill, where 475 stops to wait for 611 to pass. We stayed once again to see the 611 pass 475 at Cherry Hill. With the next 611 trip not until 4:30, we wanted to get some shots of the other steam star operating. N&W 475 looks great with her centered headlight. Strasburg's mechanical shop did a tremendous job of getting her 1,472 done in time for this legendary event. We see 475 then rumble past Carpenters. Next and my final stop would be at Esbenshade. N&W 475 takes the train out tender first and many photographers waited for the arrival of the next 611 train. The 4:30 train finally arrives tender first speeding down towards Carpenters. 475 then pounds up the grade towards East Strasburg with great stack talk, probably my favorite shot of 475. The 4:30 train then pounds up Esbenshade after 475 passes, being our personal favorite shot of 611. Please sit back, relax, and enjoy this reunion spectacular!

On-board footage of 611:
   • Ride Behind Norfolk & Western "J" Cla...  

- Trainfan1015:
   / @thebigbananarailfan  
- Stevewivibeevy:
   / @stevensainerailfanproductions  

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Follow the official Keystone Rail Productions page!
@keystonerailproductions on Instagram and @KeystoneRailProductions on Facebook.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

© Keystone Rail Productions (Formerly Eastern PA Railfan Productions) 2019
All Rights Reserved
COPYRIGHT POLICY: This may not be copied or reproduced without exclusive permission from Keystone Rail Productions. We work hard to create these videos, and they are not be re-uploaded/distributed without permission, or will be taken down in accordance with international copyright law. Thank you for understanding.
Apologies for the ads, however they help fund for more trips like these.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Back To The Wood by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Artist: http://audionautix.com/